Tag Archives: positive

Aug15

How To Be Happier In Your Home

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How To Be Happier In Your Home

Your home is the one place where you should be able to feel truly happy at all times and, sadly, that might not necessarily be the case for some. For most people, there will always be something that can be done in order to feel happier in the home, and that is worth remembering if you are trying to make sure that this is as true for you as possible. In this article, we are going to take a look at just a few things to consider doing if you want to be as happy as possible in your home:

Make It Safer:

It is hard to be truly and genuinely happy if you are not safe in the home. And, for that reason, you will want to make sure that you are doing whatever might be necessary in order to try and make it as safe as possible. Achieving safety in the home can be done by paying attention to a few things in particular. First, make sure that the doors are secure and that they are not damaged at all. Second, direct that same attention to the windows, and be sure to find some replacement fiberglass windows if they need replacing or repairing. Then, make sure that you are following basic safety procedures to keep the home safe from disasters. As long as you are doing all of that, you will feel safer – and therefore much happier – in the home.

Fill It With Life:

One great way to ensure that the home is going to be as conducive to happiness as possible is to fill it with life of different kinds. That could mean having pets, plants, or a combination of the two. In either case, you will find that having more life in the home can definitely make one happier, so this is something to consider, as well. It is relatively simple to fill your home with life, and it will make such a huge difference in the overall feeling of your abode.

Keep It Personal:

Finally, be sure to fill it as much as you can with items that remind you of your life and your loved ones. Keeping it personal in this way does wonders for making you happier in the home and will make you feel like those that you hold dear are close to you, even if they might be far away.

Creating happiness in your home is all about perspective. Add in what brings you joy and watch your positivity increase in no time.

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Feb28

Duolingo Obsessed!!

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Duolingo Obsessed!!

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! Okay, so on a recent post that I made talking about how I enjoy learning new languages, I got so much positive feedback and some great tips. Thanks for that, by the way! Many of you mentioned the Duolingo app in your comments, and I decided to give it a go and I am in LOVE!!

Normally, when I’m learning a new language, I just like doing the tapes in my car and practicing on my own. I had heard of the Duolingo app before but never thought of giving it a try until it got such positive reviews from my readers. I am SO thankful for that, because I am enjoying it so much!! I’m working my way through the French lessons as a fun refresher and then I plan on starting Spanish within the next month.

I just can’t emphasize enough how pleased I am that you guys shared such positivity for the app with me, because I’m bullheaded enough that I would have just kept trudging through doing things my own way without it. Learning a new language is such an amazing workout for your brain and if you are interested in a great mental workout, then Duolingo is the way to go. I can now join the rave reviewers, because within a handful of days, I have become obsessed!!

How do you practice a new language? Are there any other handy language apps that you like to use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Aug31

Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

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Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

It’s easy for us to get used to our jobs and maybe even feel content with them, to the detriment of our future advancement. Just because a job is easy and it’s pleasant doesn’t mean that is is the right place for you to be. While there’s nothing wrong with staying at a job because it’s easy and we know what we’re doing, it can lead to complacency, and you might still be there ten years down the line when all of your colleagues have moved on to bigger and better things.

To avoid being trapped by complacency, here are some sure signs that it’s time to move on from your current job:

Your Life Is The Status Quo: If you’ve been doing the same job with the same routine every day for so long that you can’t even remember when it started, it might be time to look elsewhere to start really building a career. If promotions in your current place are hard to come by and you haven’t been considered despite being more than qualified, chances are you could definitely do better. And who doesn’t want to spice up their life a little>

You’re Never Given Feedback: Feedback, both positive and negative, is important for your development. If you don’t know what you’re doing right and which things could be improved upon, you’ll never be able to grow into the best professional that you can be.

Your Bosses Are Being Difficult: If after all of the hard work and dedication you’ve put into building their business, your bosses are so difficult that you have to see a workers compensation lawyer or they put you on probation because you had to take a few days out to look after a sick family member, take it as a clear nudge to get out. It’s rarely worth sticking with a company that doesn’t value you, especially when you’re only doing it because the work is easy or it’s a little more convenient for you.

There’s A Mass Exodus: If your long-term coworkers all start to abandon ship around the same time, it’s probably worth finding out why. If they’re experiencing problems in the workplace, it’s only a matter of time before you start experiencing the same issues, too. Or, if they’re leaving because they’ve found better opportunities elsewhere, you could, too!

You’ve Been Contacted By Headhunters: If you’ve been contacted by headhunters who’ve gone out of their way to try and poach you, you’d be foolish not to at least consider it. If a company really wants you, it’s usually because they’re impressed by your work and are willing to pay for the experience that you bring to the table. You may be able to negotiate a better salary and more workplace benefits with them than you could in your current position. And, once again, who doesn’t want that?

You’ve Already Been Considering It: If you’ve been thinking about leaving, even if they’ve only been idle thoughts, it could be a sign that you’ve grown weary of your job, even if you don’t fully realize it yourself. Don’t dismiss these thoughts and look into your options, because everyone has them.

Leaving a steady job can be scary, but sometimes it’s the only way to move forward to bigger and better things in your life.

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Aug2

Thinking Ink? Common Pros & Cons

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Thinking Ink? Common Pros & Cons

Tattoos are a huge deal nowadays. Something you’d once only see on sailors, you now see on men and women from all kinds of backgrounds. This can be great! Tattoos are a wonderful way to express creativity and tell people a little about your loves and personality. That being said, there are cons to consider, too. Let’s explore the pros and cons of inking your skin. If you’ve got a tattoo in mind, consider these things first:

Pro: Express Your Creativity And Individuality

A tattoo can tell people a lot about who you are, what you like, and things of the like. We don’t all want to look the same, and a tattoo modifies the body, helping it to stand out from the crowd. If you’re a unique person and want to express that, getting a tattoo you love could be something to consider to give yourself that little something extra. Regardless of if you are following a new tattoo trend or getting something you have been thinking about for a while, the most important thing is that you truly want to get it and a safe and skilled tattoo artist is creating it. When you have a gifted artist, your own creativity and individuality can blossom even more!

Con: Not All Artists Are Created Equal

Researching an artist is absolutely crucial before you go ahead and get a tattoo. You should never walk into a tattoo studio and ask for a tattoo there and then. You won’t get something unique, and chances are, a shoddy job will be done. Browsing through portfolios and making sure this person can do the style you want is a must. The best artists aren’t necessarily expensive, but you do usually get what you pay for. Don’t try to save a quick buck when it comes to tattoos, which usually just leaves you with a literal lifetime of regret.

Pro: Open A Door To A New Community

Chances are, you’ll meet a whole new bunch of people when you get tattoos. You’ll meet people like you, and people will likely comment on your tattoos (comments won’t always be positive). If you want to meet your ‘tribe’ tattoos could be the way to do it. (I’m part of that tribe! It’s great!)

Con: A Tattoo Could Limit Your Career Choices

Unfortunately, some places still discriminate against tattoos. You may be okay in a creative profession or if you’re your own boss, but working as a teacher, for example, usually requires un-inked skin. There are options, though. If you want to change your career down the line and you’re okay with getting rid of your tattoos, you could use a special cream or have laser treatment. Here are some astounding facts behind tattoo removal cream for you to learn more. If not, you could potentially cover up your tattoos with clothing, but this depends on how inked you are.

Pro: A Tattoo Is Your Own Piece Of Custom Art

Having a tattoo on your skin is your very own piece of custom art that lasts forever. This is great if the tattoo means something to you and is designed and undertaken by a pro. That way, you’re getting a reminder of something that you love every day!

You will likely change later on down the line, whether this be in your style or tastes. It’s a good idea to consider whether the tattoo you want will be something that means a lot to you years down the road. If it’s a yes, then go go go! 😀

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Jul24

Identifying When Your Friend Might Need Your Support

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Identifying When Your Friend Might Need Your Support

Despite the immense potential and beauty that life can offer, and does offer all of the time, sometimes we all must enter periods of sadness, sorrow, and doubt. This can trigger from a range of different problems, and we all experience it now and then. Not everyone can be functioning at 100% all of the time, and periods of depression or isolation can actually serve for the greater good in the long-term. If you’re going through a period of depression, that previous statement must be apologized for in terms of its bluntness, but not it terms of its message.

Trivializing depression is always wrong, but robbing it of all complete perceptive value would be wrong, too. Overcoming a depressive episode can make you a stronger, more down-to-earth person. Remember, a tree’s branches can only reach as high as its roots go. A person who has successfully made it through a depressive episode is likely to come through the other side better off in some ways. It can be a purifying fire, that forces you to prioritize what is important to you, who is important to you, and how you can best live your life with wisdom and foresight.

However, this doesn’t mean that being depressed isn’t real. If you’ve been through feelings of despair yourself, you’ll know about the support that you hope for but usually can’t articulate your desire to retrieve. As a friend, it’s important that you keep an eye on your other friends or roommates to make sure they are okay and doing well. Here’s what to look for if you notice a change for the negative in your loved ones:

Change In Physical Appearance: Depression can rob you of many things, not the least your physical vitality. If you’ve noticed that your friend lacks their usual vitality, they could be deeply depressed, or even worse, they might be turning to substances to overcome their issues. This never works in the short or long term, but is a tempting process for someone who feels that they have no escape.

Communicating your concerns can be difficult to approach in these circumstances without seeming hostile. Living with a prescription addict can be even worse, because they can often get a sanctified, legal way to obtain their habitual maladies. To overcome these issues, try and help them get help through any means necessary. Inform their GP and family. Be there for them. If you have to, organize some form of stay-in recovery. Depression culminates in many ways, and people take it differently depending on their personality. Another sign to look out for is:

Withdrawing From Social Life: Withdrawing from standard social discourse is a good sign that tells you that someone isn’t functioning at 100%. Another sign is keeping an odd schedule, such as replying to your messages on social media at the early hours of the morning. A symptom of depression is late sleeping and late rising, so be sure to look out for this. Even introverted people need social contact, so complete withdrawal, especially if said person used to be social, can be taken in a number of ways.

Communicate clearly to the person that you harbor no ill-will for them limiting themselves or withdrawing, but let them know that you are worried about them. Never stop inviting them to places. Consider doing activities inside with just the two of you. Try and open up conversation as much as possible without being annoying. See what you can do to be present. Even if they don’t show it, they’ll likely need you far more than you think.

Sometimes, the best remedy as a friend is your simple presence. However, sometimes it requires more than that. Be sure to identify which one will be more helpful and take further action when needed. What matters is your observation and your willingness to help your friend through thick and thin.

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Jul14

Improving Your Emotional Well-Being, Starting With You

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Improving Your Emotional Well-Being, Starting With You

While the world is still full of many wrongs – many things we would alter, tweak, and change – we are moving in the right direction on so many critical topics, not least of all mental health. Funding, awareness, openness, and the battle against its stigma. These are all ways in which we are improving as a society that realizes the debilitating outcomes for those unlucky enough to be preyed on by their own mind.

But the one thing that can have the biggest influence above all is you. Sure, that may sound cliched, but what’s wrong with that? Cliches are just truisms. Of course, the only way that you can help yourself on an emotional level is knowing how you can take better care of yourself. Get that right and your well-being will follow.

The Word ‘No’: We are taught to say ‘yes’ from an early age. Taught that the word ‘yes’ brings with it opportunity and adventure, and this is true. However, it is important to respect the word ‘no’, too. By learning when and how to say no with grace and understanding, you will find it much easier to fit in the things that you want and need to. There is never enough time or energy to do everything. So in order to enjoy saying ‘yes’ you need to know how to say ‘no’, as well.

Go Outside Every Day: When you are trapped in the vice-like grip of depression or anything of that ilk, the idea of crawling out from under the duvet and leaving your bed can be unfathomable, let alone leaving the house. However, research has proved that spending time outdoors can boost your energy and emotional strength, while also giving you a heightened sense of well-being.

Make Big Waves: Mental health issues can manifest in so many different forms, including severe dependencies. Escaping this crux can be as tough as it gets, so don’t be afraid to make big waves and take big steps. Seek help. Speak to therapists. Look at that extended stay treatment at Beachway. Approach counselors. Your mental health and emotional well-being is the most important thing that you have, which is why you shouldn’t accept any compromises. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If you think therapy is the right step for you, it doesn’t hurt to look at several different options to find the best fit. You might find that the practices at Life Redefined Clinical Counseling or a similar facility in your local area speak to you. Or perhaps the therapist you had your first appointment with wasn’t the right match. It’s okay to shop around so trust your instincts until you find the best person to help you.

Get Lots Of Sleep: Studies have shown that you should get at least seven and a half hours of sleep each night. This is because sleep deprivation, whether it be broken sleep or chronic insomnia, can lead to weight gain, a loss of focus, feeling unstable, and a general lack of productivity. If you manage to get into a good sleep pattern, not only will you feel better, but you will be better too.

Respect Yourself: We neglect ourselves without even realizing it. That is why you should start making a conscious effort to treat yourself in the same way that you treat your family and closest friends. Imagine how you would help a friend that was suffering in the same way that you are. We’re talking about offering yourself compassion, respect, kindness, and advice. Pushing yourself to be a better you is important, we can’t deny that. But being hard on yourself is different. Being hard on yourself only encourages guilt and can harm your emotional well-being to no end.

Every new aspect of your life starts with you, including improving upon your mental health. Make goals, challenge yourself, and take the steps necessary to start a lifestyle in which you are kinder to yourself.

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Jul10

5 Tips For When You’re Worried a Friend Has a Mental Illness

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5 Tips For When You’re Worried a Friend Has a Mental Illness

It is, unfortunately, just a fact of life that so many people are suffering from mental conditions. These problems can affect people from all backgrounds and demographics. You really can’t know who is suffering and who’s not just by looking at what they have or how much money they earn. If Prince Harry of England can suffer from mental health issues, then anybody can. When it’s your close friend or partner, sudden changes in their mood and outlook on life can be glaringly obvious to you. Here are five tips for handling that situation, should it arise (we hope it doesn’t!):

Talk It Out:

People have a hard time opening up about mental health problems, which is one of the problems in the first place! So it’s unlikely that your friend is just going to spill every single detail about what’s going on inside their mind, especially if they like to put on a front that everything is all good. If you suspect that something’s up, have a conversation with them. A real one. They might just have a small issue that they just need someone to listen to. If it’s more serious than that, then you can take it further. For example, a major cause of mental illness is childhood abuse. If this is something that your loved one confided in you, you might want to read this helpful article about Understanding Childhood Abuse and Mental Health so you can be a better support system.

Give Positive Energy:

If a friend is suffering from something that’s not nice to deal with, then they will obviously be in a dark place. While it’s not easy to be your bright and cheerful self around someone incapable of matching your enthusiasm, it’s important that you bring all of the positive energy you can muster when you’re around them. This doesn’t mean being loud and suggesting a wacky adventure every time you’re with them; it means being calm, thoughtful, positive, and suggesting activities that might boost their mood. It won’t be easy, so patience is definitely a virtue.

Encourage Them To Get Help:

Sometimes, a friend will be suffering from problems much more threatening than mild depression, for instance. It might be that they need to get professional help. Unfortunately, they might not go down this path if they haven’t accepted that anything’s wrong. When that happens, help them see for themselves that something isn’t right. If you suspect your friend is suffering from schizophrenia, have them take a self-screening test from schizlife.com here. When they don’t feel attacked and can be honest with themselves, they might be more willing to seek professional help for their problems.

Don’t Get Too Close:

While it’s important that you do everything that you can to make sure your friend is okay, you should avoid getting too close to the situation. This is especially relevant if the friend is your boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s important that you keep a healthy distance, for their sake as well as your own, as sometimes your own mental health can suffer when looking after their other half. Make sure that you take care of you, too.

You’re There For Them:

Above all, make sure they know that you’ll always be there for them. Some people’s conditions flare up, and they need to know someone is there for emotional support. If you let them know that you are available, night or day, then they’ll have an extra dose of comfort knowing that they’re not alone in the world.

Mental health issues can be scary, and as a friend or partner it is your duty to show support to a loved one who is struggling. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows, but you can definitely try and help it to be!

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Jun23

Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

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Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

For one reason or another, we can all find ourselves in stressful circumstances in life. Sometimes, we can handle them. But sometimes, they stick – and that’s when it hits us hard. When you’re dealing with stress, not only can your health suffer, but your self-esteem can, too. At times like this, you feel like you’re never going to be able to make things work and feel good about yourself again. But you can. There are so many different ways that health and self-esteem are connected, you just need to find them.

You do have the option to tackle your health and self-esteem separately, but you might find that you enjoy it better if you create a connection between them both and hit them head on. When your health suffers, it can harm your energy levels, your mood, and then eventually your self-esteem. Likewise, when you’re suffering from low self-esteem, you may find that other areas of your physical and mental health start to deteriorate. So, you’re going to want to work on boosting your health and well-being in a range of different ways to improve how you feel in life:

It’s A Mental Thing: First of all, it’s going to help you to acknowledge that your current concerns about your self-esteem are a mental issue. Your worries may not be anything to worry about, but by acknowledging them, you’re going to get yourself one step closer to feeling better. When you ignore your thoughts and try to avoid them, you’re not solving them. To push past the negativity that you’re dealing with in your own mind, you need to be able to acknowledge it first and then work past it. Sometimes, working past these issues can be way easier said than done. It might be a good idea to seek help from a professional like those at Wisemind Counseling or a similar practice in your local area. They will be able to provide expert guidance to help you to get back to feeling like yourself again.

Trying Out Yoga: To work on boosting both your health and your self-esteem, you should seriously consider trying out yoga. It’s a great workout, of course, but it is also amazing for your mind. There are so many benefits to yoga, that you’ll definitely be working on improving things like your flexibility and posture, but you’ll also be clearing your mind and relaxing at the same time.

Drinking More Water: Our bodies are made up of a huge percentage of water, so we need to be able to stay on top of that in order to improve your health. When you do start to drink more water, your body will be able to function better and that, in turn, will boost your mind. You’ll notice that you have a bit more energy and the more energy you have, the more positive you’re likely to feel.

Eating A Balanced Diet: Next up, you’re going to want to start prioritizing your nutrition. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while, but when you eat a lot of junk food, you may find that it makes you feel worse. There’s a lot to say for mood food because what you eat does impact how you feel about yourself. When your body feels sluggish, you will feel sluggish. And who wants to do anything when they’re feeling lethargic? The answer is nobody.

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Yummmm

Getting More Fresh Air: When you’re cooped up inside all day or you find yourself always heading from the office to your house and back again, you’re probably exhausted. Your mind will always be running with the things that you have to do. So, take a break. Getting enough fresh air is always good for your mind and your body. Going for walks or just sitting outside to remove yourself from stress can really clear your mind and help to keep you calm.

Accepting & Improving: Sometimes, you won’t start to feel a change in the way you feel until you encourage that change to come about. You can do that in two ways. First, it’s to work on improving whatever it is that is getting you down. Whether you need to lose weight and decide to see a fitness expert to feel happier in yourself or you want to improve your teeth with professionals like the Harrell Dental Implant Center so that you can confidently smile again, take action. Your other option is to accept who you are and what you look like, and be happy in your own skin. Either way, accepting or improving will help you to take a huge step forwards.

Committing To Exercise: Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and get healthy. No matter what it is, whether it’s a fun dance class or running on the track, by doing something, you will start to do something about how you look and feel. When you work out, you will find that you have more energy and will start to feel more positive and confident in yourself.

Trying Out Mantras: When you struggle to accept the skin that you’re in, you may need to take an additional step towards making that happen. Even if the idea makes you feel silly, you should try out positive affirmations. They can often boost your self-esteem and even train you into positive thinking. Either way, you will find that the effects work in a positive way towards your general levels of health.

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Think she’s thinking her mantra?

Switch Off & Step Back: Sometimes, you might find that your obsession with being on all of the time is holding you back. It’s something that we all struggle with at some point or another. But, the negative effects of social media are real. They can change the way you feel about yourself and your life, and drastically lower your self-esteem. So take a step back and learn to switch off. A social media hiatus might be just what you need to start focusing on yourself instead of others.

Put Yourself First: And above all else, you’re going to need to learn to prioritize your health and happiness in order to feel better. Doing the right things to boost your health will be good for your mind. Vice versa, doing things for your mind will positively effect your body. So rekindle that love you once had with a hobby and allow yourself a slice of happiness – for your body and mind’s sake.

Happy Friday!!!

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Jun6

Proceed With Confidence! Tips To Overcome Procedural Anxiety

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Proceed With Confidence! Tips To Overcome Procedural Anxiety

For one reason or another, most of us in our lives will have a surgical procedure at some point. Some may be prophylactic, designed to prevent or reduce the chances of a serious medical condition, while others may be to treat an existing condition. Whatever the cause, the prospect of undergoing a surgical procedure can be extremely daunting, particularly if we’re doing it for the first time. Procedural anxiety is a very real psychological condition, which can have incredibly damaging physical effects. In some worst case scenarios, patients have been known to refuse potentially life-saving surgery because they were so crippled by the prospect of going ‘under the knife’.

Fear of the unknown is one of the defining traits of human psychology. It’s the reason why we have learned to hide in our caves and not to tangle with saber toothed tigers. But in today’s world, our anxiety can take many forms that can be damaging to us, especially when our health is concerned. Let’s examine the anxieties that accompany surgical procedures and what you can do to combat them:

Do I Have Procedural Anxiety? Like many forms of anxiety, procedural anxiety can take many forms. While there are recognizable symptoms, they manifest differently in different people. If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms when considering surgery, or in a dialogue with your doctor about surgery, then chances are you are affected by procedural anxiety:

  • Breathlessness
  • Sweating
  • Nausea or stomach upset
  • Dry mouth
  • Irritability
  • Shaking/trembling
  • Heart palpitations or accelerating heart rate
  • Loss of appetite
  • Inability to think clearly or speak intelligibly
  • A sensation of detachment from reality
  • Fainting or fear of fainting
  • Fear of losing control.

anx1

Yikes!

These symptoms can be brought on by certain triggers. Most of us don’t even have to be in a hospital to start feeling them. In some cases, just the sight of blood or injury in television or movies is enough to make us feel nauseous. These kinds of anxiety are perfectly natural and more common than we may think. They affect us because of three key factors:

Loss of Control: It’s no small feat to entrust the care of our body to someone else if we are unconscious or otherwise anesthetized. This degree of trust in your surgeon is at odds with our every primal instinct to protect ourselves.

The Stakes: Surgery can lead to a better life that is free of whatever impediment the surgery is designed to treat. Often physical conditions or injuries can throw a wrench in the works of our plans for life, and surgery represents a chance to overcome that hurdle. With that in mind, it’s perfectly understandable that we’d invest our hopes in the procedure and the prospect of something going wrong or the procedure failing, which would be devastating.

Mortality: As we live our lives, we become so caught up in the minutes of our day-to-day lives that we subliminally assume that they’ll go on forever. Surgical procedures can be a stark reminder of our own mortality and make us feel fragile and vulnerable.

There’s no denying that procedural anxiety is a biggie, but that’s no reason to let it get the better of you. Here are some things that you can do to stifle your fears and go into a procedure with confidence:

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First, remember that you are not alone: Whatever happens, you have support every step of the way. Make sure that you make the most if it. Bring your partner, a close friend, or a family member with you whenever you feel you need some extra love. The medical staff will be there to help you and answer any questions that you may have, so voice anything that’s troubling you. If you’re worried about the prospect of something going wrong with the procedure, the surgeon, or the tools then rest assured that it’s relatively easy and risk free to get an attorney to help you.

Get to know your doctor: There can be no better way to squash the fear of the unknown than by familiarizing yourself with your doctor, medical staff, and the attending physician. Get them to describe the procedure to you in as much detail as possible (if you can stomach it). This will remind your subconscious that you are entrusting your body to a skilled, competent, and experienced professional.

Be as open with them as possible about your anxieties. You’d be astonished how understanding they’ll be. In many cases, they will work collaboratively with you, enabling you to make decisions for yourself when possible.

Educate Yourself: Knowing is half the battle, and nowhere is this more relevant than when discussing procedural anxiety. For some, having the procedure explained by a professional isn’t nearly enough and there’s no such thing as too much knowledge. Researching the procedure is one of the surest ways to rid yourself of fear of it. If possible, try and make contact with friends and family who’ve undergone similar procedures. Some people who’ve undergone surgical procedures write blogs to reassure others. Reading these can be a great reminder of what you have to gain and look forward to after the procedure.

However prepared we are, we often find ourselves overcome by fear and anxiety at times so here are some coping strategies that you may find useful:

Distraction: If you feel your mind dwelling, then it can be very counter productive. Listen to music or read a book or article in a magazine or online. Even focusing on the tiny details of a painting on the wall can give your mind a break from itself.

Challenge Negative Thoughts: We have a tendency to jump to the worst case scenario and it’s important to catch these thoughts and nip them in the bud as soon as they crop up. Use your newfound knowledge to assure yourself that the facts and logic outweigh your worst case superstitions.

Visualize: Many find it helpful to create a positive visualization to calm your anxious mind. Take yourself back to a time when you were carefree and happy and try and transpose that feeling to your future, to a time that you can look forward to after the procedure.

Remember that your anxieties are perfectly understandable and natural, but hopefully using these techniques will prevent you from letting it be the boss of you so that you can proceed with confidence!

Jan20

Lacking in Self-Confidence? Why Not Make These Changes To Give Yourself a Boost?

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Lacking in Self-Confidence? Why Not Make These Changes To Give Yourself a Boost?

We all have people that we look up to and admire. They might be people that we know or celebrities that we have never met. But the thing that they all seem to have in common is their confidence. People that are self-confident are often admired by others and they can also boost confidence in other people. Self-confident people also tend to have more of a positive outlook on life. They are more inclined to think that they can deal with anything that comes their way. So it is easy to see why confident people are nice to be around. Being confident isn’t always about being the loudest in the room or the chattiest. But it is certainly about being happy with yourself and being more positive. If you think that your self-confidence needs a bit of a boost, then here are some ideas to help:

Avoid Negativity: When you are around people that are negative, it can have more of an impact on you than you think. So it might be time to think about who you associate yourself with. Even the most positive of people are going to be negative when they are constantly brought down by negativity. You should also try to be as positive as you can be. You might not be feeling super positive at the moment but if you think your way to being positive it can really help – there’s no shame in faking it until you make it!

Make Physical Changes: When you want something to change in your life, you need to start off with making some physical changes. It might just be to not slump your shoulders when you’re talking to others, but standing tall and upright instead. People that have positive body language look much more confident than those that don’t. You might also consider some other physical changes like getting a new haircut or even something more extreme like plastic surgery. I am a huge supporter of the latter because I have had a breast reduction before but there is nothing wrong with going bigger with breast implant surgery, either! Being able to change something that made me feel completely awful about myself was empowering and it improved my confidence one million fold.

Use Eye Contact: When you can’t look someone in the eye that you are speaking to, it just shows to them that you are not very confident or even, perhaps, a little aloof. It is important to give the right impression by looking the person that you are speaking to in the eye. You’ll be able to read feelings much easier this way, too. This can help you to be more positive and enthusiastic with the people around you that you are dealing with.

Don’t Accept Failure: This does relate back to the whole positivity thing, but you will feel much more confident in yourself when you are thinking about what you can learn from failure, rather than just focusing on your failure. That is something that will differentiate people with low confidence and those with lots of confidence. So next time you hear a negative thought creeping in to get you down, switch it around and it will give your confidence a boost.

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